String Figures as Mathematics?

An Anthropological Approach to String Figure-making in Oral Tradition Societies

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Mathematics, History, Science, Other Sciences, Philosophy & Social Aspects
Cover of the book String Figures as Mathematics? by Eric Vandendriessche, Springer International Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Eric Vandendriessche ISBN: 9783319119946
Publisher: Springer International Publishing Publication: January 2, 2015
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: Eric Vandendriessche
ISBN: 9783319119946
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Publication: January 2, 2015
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

This book addresses the mathematical rationality contained in the making of string figures. It does so by using interdisciplinary methods borrowed from anthropology, mathematics, history and philosophy of mathematics. The practice of string figure-making has long been carried out in many societies, and particularly in those of oral tradition. It consists in applying a succession of operations to a string (knotted into a loop), mostly using the fingers and sometimes the feet, the wrists or the mouth. This succession of operations is intended to generate a final figure. The book explores different modes of conceptualization of the practice of string figure-making and analyses various source material through these conceptual tools: it looks at research by mathematicians, as well as ethnographical publications, and personal fieldwork findings in the Chaco, Paraguay, and in the Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, which allgive evidence of the rationality that underlies this activity. It concludes that the creation of string figures may be seen as the result of intellectual processes, involving the elaboration of algorithms, and concepts such as operation, sub-procedure, iteration, and transformation.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book addresses the mathematical rationality contained in the making of string figures. It does so by using interdisciplinary methods borrowed from anthropology, mathematics, history and philosophy of mathematics. The practice of string figure-making has long been carried out in many societies, and particularly in those of oral tradition. It consists in applying a succession of operations to a string (knotted into a loop), mostly using the fingers and sometimes the feet, the wrists or the mouth. This succession of operations is intended to generate a final figure. The book explores different modes of conceptualization of the practice of string figure-making and analyses various source material through these conceptual tools: it looks at research by mathematicians, as well as ethnographical publications, and personal fieldwork findings in the Chaco, Paraguay, and in the Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea, which allgive evidence of the rationality that underlies this activity. It concludes that the creation of string figures may be seen as the result of intellectual processes, involving the elaboration of algorithms, and concepts such as operation, sub-procedure, iteration, and transformation.

More books from Springer International Publishing

Cover of the book One Hundred Years of Zoning and the Future of Cities by Eric Vandendriessche
Cover of the book Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Vol. 173 by Eric Vandendriessche
Cover of the book Digital Human Modeling. Applications in Health, Safety, Ergonomics, and Risk Management: Ergonomics and Design by Eric Vandendriessche
Cover of the book Observer-Based Fault Estimation Techniques by Eric Vandendriessche
Cover of the book Peacebuilding and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by Eric Vandendriessche
Cover of the book Sustainable Operations Management by Eric Vandendriessche
Cover of the book Advances in Design for Inclusion by Eric Vandendriessche
Cover of the book Equations Involving Malliavin Calculus Operators by Eric Vandendriessche
Cover of the book The New Generation of Computable General Equilibrium Models by Eric Vandendriessche
Cover of the book Limits of the Secular by Eric Vandendriessche
Cover of the book International Handbook of Occupational Therapy Interventions by Eric Vandendriessche
Cover of the book Group Privacy by Eric Vandendriessche
Cover of the book Social Entrepreneurship in Non-Profit and Profit Sectors by Eric Vandendriessche
Cover of the book Decision and Game Theory for Security by Eric Vandendriessche
Cover of the book Complexity and Control in Quantum Photonics by Eric Vandendriessche
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy